Spring seems to have arrived, and while the rest of the country shovels snow from their driveways, we get to turn our attention to growing food and flowers!

Here are a few important notices for March:

GARDEN OPENING

The official garden opening for the Hastings North Garden is Saturday, April 2nd from 1pm to 3pm. Mark the date in your calendar, as this is sure to be a fun and informative event!

Joining us this year will be local sweethearts Figaro's Garden (http://shiftinggrowth.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=764a1db14c3c23e7a865a5214&id=2713e8ac0c&e=46b9d57ae1) . They'll bring seeds, starts and bulbs to sell, and answer all your gardening questions. Hmmm, what kind of beets should I grow––Detroit Dark? Crosby's Egyptian? Early Wonder? So many options to choose from!

Meanwhile, we'll set up a paint station for gardeners to decorate their own garden bed placards, and we'll have maps and registration info for new gardeners unsure where they're beds are.

This is a great time to meet your neighbours and to plant your first seeds. It's also an opportunity for those wishing to pay their Annual Garden Fee by cash or cheque to do so!

GARDEN REGISTRATION

We have streamlined the sign-up and payment process for 2016 with a new Garden App. Click here to REGISTER AND PAY FOR YOUR HASTINGS NORTH COMMUNITY GARDEN MEMBERSHIP 2016 (http://shiftinggrowth.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=764a1db14c3c23e7a865a5214&id=cc29f3bac5&e=46b9d57ae1) . The fee for the upcoming year is $15 per bed.

In order to secure your place in the garden, you must register and pay for your beds by APRIL 2nd. Otherwise we will move your beds along to another gardener on our wait list.

**As always, returning gardeners will hold onto the same beds they gardened in 2015.

LEAVING THE GARDEN?

If you will not be returning to the garden for 2016, please let me know so that I can pass along your beds to a new gardener.

COMPOST DELIVERY

We'll be delivering a load of organic compost for you to add to your beds to improve the soil nutrition and invigorate your plants. This particular blend is made with Vancouver's food scraps by Net Zero Waste (http://shiftinggrowth.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=764a1db14c3c23e7a865a5214&id=c195e42fb3&e=46b9d57ae1) ––totally delicious stuff.

The compost will arrive in the second half of March, in advance of the Garden Opening. Plan on adding a few buckets before you plant your seeds and starts (if you can bear to wait!). I'll post a notice on the Facebook Group (http://shiftinggrowth.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=764a1db14c3c23e7a865a5214&id=bad27010b2&e=46b9d57ae1) when it's arrived.

TOOL SHED COMBO

As a reminder, the combination on the lock to access the shed is 000. Real simple! Please treat the tools nicely, and be sure to lock the shed when you're finished.

GARDEN TIPS: STARTING SEEDS INDOORS

Here is a video (http://shiftinggrowth.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=764a1db14c3c23e7a865a5214&id=fccadac5e2&e=46b9d57ae1) from GrowVeg on how to grow your own starts inside.

And for a great summary of seed schedules and companion planting tips, check out this cheat sheet (http://shiftinggrowth.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=764a1db14c3c23e7a865a5214&id=6eac64e1d3&e=46b9d57ae1) from Huffpost. I found the graphic very helpful.